Culture Ministry protest attacked

Police and CSF personnel try to separate between protesters supporting the current minister of culture and those demanding his resignation(Photo By Halim Elshaarani)

A sit-in at the Ministry of Culture in Zamalek was attacked on Tuesday afternoon by alleged supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and newly appointed Minister of Culture Alaa Abdel Aziz.

Police securing the area of the demonstration managed to disperse the attack.

Protesters are maintaining a sit-in at the ministry in opposition to the appointment of Abdel Aziz and his subsequent dismissal of various culture officials including head of the Cairo Opera House Ines Abdel Dayem and Salah El-Meligy, head of the Applied Arts Department of the ministry.

Following brief clashes, protesters chanted against the Muslim Brotherhood and Abdel Aziz, holding up Tamarod petitions which call for early presidential elections.

“I’m here to support our country’s artists and culture,” said Ali Boulaqy, who said he had been participating in the sit-in for the past week.

“We come here peacefully,” he added. “People are coming here now to practice their art on the street since the minister is dismissing everyone.”

“We’re not convinced of the legitimacy of President [Mohamed] Morsi or any of his ministers,” said protester Samir Halawa.

“The minister of culture has to understand culture well, because it is the greatest part of any country, and Egypt specifically,” he said. “Ever since this minister was appointed he has been declaring war against culture.”

“They come with weapons. We come with pens and brushes. Those are our weapons.”

At the time of publication, the sit-in continued with police creating a security perimeter around the Ministry of Culture.